Plans for a major site in Fife that could have delivered thousands of jobs and created training opportunities in areas of high unemployment are in ruins after the Scottish Government agency responsible for economic development admitted plans to bring high-speed train manufacturing to the site had ended.
In a letter to a local Councillor, Scottish Enterprise have admitted their option to purchase the site of the former Generating Station at Longannet, near Kincardine in Fife, had expired following confirmation from Talgo last year that they had been unsuccessful in the bid process for HS2.
The confirmation comes just a few months after Talgo claimed they still intended moving ahead with their plans and Scottish Enterprise said they were still actively marketing the site. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-59775943 / https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/19799256.kincardine-talgo-remain-committed-40m-investment-longannet/)
The plans for Talgo to move to Longannet had been supported by the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, as well as local MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Shirley-Anne Somerville, and MP, Douglas Chapman.
Those plans now appear to be in tatters as Graeme Downie, Scottish Labour Councillor for West Fife & Coastal Villages, has received a letter from Adrian Gillespie, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, confirming the option on the side has expired. Mr. Downie has likened the failure to the CalMac Ferry fiasco, saying the SNP are more interested in press coverage than helping people.
Commenting, Graeme Downie, Scottish Labour Councillor for West Fife & Coastal Villages, said: “We have seen this again and again with the SNP, from Ferries to BiFab. They are more interested in looking good than in actually helping people and communities. We were led to believe these plans could go ahead regardless of Talgo’s HS2 contract but that appears not to be the case.”
“I believe Scottish Enterprise entered in into these discussions in good faith but have been let down by the lack of a strategic plan from the SNP / Green Scottish Government. The Longannet site has fantastic road and sea links and the fact the Scottish Government have failed to prioritise realising this potential is an absolute scandal.”
“I wrote to the Chief Executive of Talgo two weeks ago asking for more information but have yet to receive a reply. I will be speaking to colleagues and Officers at Fife Council to see what more can be done but a site of this important requires encouragement from the centre and that has been sadly lacking in this case.”
“We need a proper, long-term strategy for the Longannet site that take advantage of local skills and bring all parties round the table to put together a plan that seeks to bring jobs, possibly related to solving climate change, to this part of Fife.”
——ENDS——
Letter text below:
“Dear Councillor Downie
Thank you for your letter dated 13th May 2022 regarding the development of the site of the former Longannet Generating Station.
While Scottish Enterprise had agreed an option to purchase the site from its owner Scottish Power that has now expired following confirmation from Talgo last year that they had been unsuccessful in the bid process for HS2.
We would, of course, be happy to meet with you to discuss further the efforts we are undertaking to secure a productive use for the site, and Neil Francis, our Interim Managing Director, Scottish Development International and leadership champion for the region, would be pleased to do this. If you would find this helpful, please do get in touch with Neil <EMAIL ADDRESS SUPPLIED>”